- Boss
- Boss Boss (b[o^]s; 115), n.; pl. {Bosses} (-[e^]z). [OE. boce,
bose, boche, OF. boce, boche, bosse, F. bosse, of G. origin;
cf. OHG. b[=o]zo tuft, bunch, OHG. b[=o]zan, MHG. b[^o]zen,
to beat. See {Beat}, and cf. {Botch} a swelling.]
1. Any protuberant part; a round, swelling part or body; a
knoblike process; as, a boss of wood.
[1913 Webster]
2. A protuberant ornament on any work, either of different material from that of the work or of the same, as upon a buckler or bridle; a stud; a knob; the central projection of a shield. See {Umbilicus}. [1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) A projecting ornament placed at the intersection of the ribs of ceilings, whether vaulted or flat, and in other situations. [1913 Webster]
4. [Cf. D. bus box, Dan. b["o]sse.] A wooden vessel for the mortar used in tiling or masonry, hung by a hook from the laths, or from the rounds of a ladder. --Gwilt. [1913 Webster]
5. (Mech.) (a) The enlarged part of a shaft, on which a wheel is keyed, or at the end, where it is coupled to another. (b) A swage or die used for shaping metals. [1913 Webster]
6. A head or reservoir of water. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
